Dolly Parton’s popular Branson show finally caves to political correctness (video)

Country singer Dolly Parton has caved into political correctness by ditching “Dixie” from the name of her popular dinner show, as well as removing it from a location in Branson, Mo., which will now be known simply as “Dolly Parton’s Stampede.”

In a statement, Parton said the name change was inspired by changing attitudes and “will remove any confusion or concerns about our shows” as the company that operates the attraction expands into new markets.

World Choice Investments LLC currently operates the show for Parton in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and Branson according to a report form The St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Friday.

“The Branson show opened in 1995 and includes a four-course dinner, horse-riding stunts and musical productions in a 35,000-square-foot arena decorated like a forested Southern plantation,” according to the report. “The story line centers on lighthearted competitions between the Union and Confederacy, and each audience member sits either with the North or South.”

The Branson production is scheduled to reopen on Feb. 23 for the year.

“There will be some changes that are obvious like staging or musical changes and others that are subtle,” said the show’s spokesman Pete Owens in an email. He noted that the element of competition between North and South and the audience participation will remain.

In August, the website Slate.com published a critical review of the show that argued that the production glorified the Confederacy.

“Even though the South is built upon the foundation of slavery, a campy show produced by a well-meaning country superstar can make believe it’s not,” culture writer Aisha Harris wrote. “We’d prefer to pretend, to let our deepest sins be transmuted into gauzy kitsch — and no one blinks an eye because that’s what they truly want.”

The show’s media team responded, saying they would take those comments under consideration.

“We continually listen to our guests,” World Choice CEO Jim Rule said in a statement Monday. “And our desire to expand coupled with our desire to stay relevant in today’s changing world led us to simplify our shows’ names.”